Friday, April 15, 2011

Candidate Profile: Julian Whittington

Julian Whittington is well known in Bossier Parish. The 52 year old former Chief Criminal Deputy was brought up in Benton and served for 23 years in the Sheriff's Department.He is a graduate of BPCC (Associates Degree) and received his Bachelor's Degree from Northeast State University, now ULM.He and his wife Melissa have a son, 26 and a daughter, 22.In his years with the Department he served in various capacities in every operation of the office, both Criminal and Civil.Whittington points out that the office requires a lot more than criminal experience; the sheriff is the tax collector for the parish, serves all papers for the District Court including foreclosures, sells siezed property at Sheriff's sale every week, operates 3 prisons and the Academy.This is on top of managing 300+ employees and overseeing a budget of more than $30,000,000.From his early days patrolling the parish to his days as Chief Deputy, he says that he is the only candidate who has experience in all of these crucial operations of the office.Whittington believes that the sheriff's office should practice transparency and that the sheriff should be available to the public. If elected, he said that 'on the first day I would move the office of the sheriff back into the Courthouse'.He will officially announce for the office next Tuesday, April 19th, at the Bossier City Civic Center Bodcau Room at 4PM. He stated that this is an open invitation to all residents of the parish.

Do not agree about him moving office of sheriff to courthouse -- Court house to much of a hassle to go to. Have a nice office already with ease of parking, etc -- Have office downstairs for more accessibility - Otherwise, there is going to be so much scuttlebutt and misdirection - We have the best law enforcement in the state now -- Keep in that direction --

well personally i dont want someone that is already a crook as sheriff, and y promise people jobs why cant people do all the things any other normal person that doesent have connections? i think its crappy especially someone that allowed someone to get out of jail for free!!! there is a reason they were in jail in the first place...lets get it together people!!!!

How does Julian feel about punishing deputies who ticket or arrest his buddies. I have heard from several people who worked for Deen that you could be in trouble for doing your job if Larry knew the person ticketed.

If all the "haters" of Julian knew him or gave him a chance they would see that he's honorable. He's nothing like Deen and just because he's related "distantly" to Deen has nothing to do with it. I'm a Julian fan all the way. The Sheriff Department will greatly IMPROVE when he takes over.

I as a Bossier Parish Deputy can tell you that Deputy Wich retired from his position. Whittington is an honorable man who has the intelligence to recognize a Deputy who fully understands his job and or position. I have no problem with Deputy Wich returning to the department and would welcome hid return.

We just got through with all the lies and gossip about Lynn Austin in the BCMO race and now we start with Whittington. While this blog can be entertaining at times, any idiot can get on here and publish any untruth, rumor or slant the truth to suit their needs. Good grief people, if you have a question, go to the candidate himself and ask it. If the tea party had done that they would not be in the process of being sued. They were mislead and did not do their homework. Don't be like them. This election is important so get the facts from the horses mouth. All this "on good authority, a deputy told me, I am a deputy" stuff is crap.

I am sure that Mr. Whittington is a fantastic guy, however, I really have reservations about voting him into position as the sheriff. My concern is that under Whittington the BPSO will remain exactly as it is. I am concerned that the current lack of structure for payroll and promotion will continue. The same "good buddy gets the good spot" policies that we already have. My other question/concern is Mr. Whittington's experience in law enforcement. By that, I mean how much of his career did he spend on the streets, as a detective, on tactical teams that were used? I mean real law enforcement experience, not management experience. What other tactical training and certifications has he completed? When was the last time he made an arrest or even wore his bullet-proof vest? Administrative experience has its value, but Bossier Parish needs a sheriff who is focused on enforcing the law in as efficient a way as possible...not someone who has simply managed from an office. That is my question for Mr. Whittington.

Didn't Mcconell already say that the Sheriff's department should be "transparent"? And how much of my taxes are going to be spent on moving the office back to the courthouse? With having to hook up phone lines, new paint, carpeting, furniture, wouldn't it be more practical to keep it where it is? Same old Deen thinking in a new package. Geez.

This is not what I wanted to hear. I want to know what he's gonna do for me and not how he's gonna do me!

I think he is telling you what he is gonna do for you, for starters. He's gonna make himself more accessible to the people by moving back to the Courthouse. We are months away from an election and over a year away from the new Sheriff taking office. There is plenty of time for Julian to establish hi platform and lay out a plan which will include many changes. Be patient and give all of the candidates a chance to disect information and present it accordingly.

Anonymous said... Moving back to the court house is not more accessible. I would find it easier to walk in and talk to a secretary than through all that security.

April 15, 2011 7:41 PM

The way the entrance to the courthouse is set up having to go there for ANYTHING is a nightmare! Most times you end up parking close to Benton Rd. and taking a good long walk...which is more inconvenient when it's raining or bad weather.

I just hope that the best person for the job wins the election and with that new position he starts with a clean slate and not the same old politics. Bossier Parish is too great a place to live to be known for corrupt politics, and if that means some have to go, then so be it.

I have a question. Since Whittington is officially retired. If he gets elected Sherriff, does that mean he gets two checks. Everyone knows Deen use to allow some of his cronies to retire and then rehire them for the same position. I feel this is something that needs to be addressed.

The comment about electing "someone that is already a crook" brought a chuckle and a fond memory. My old Daddy would never vote for someone he considered to be an honest man, because with so many people who were already politicians he could see no reason to corrupt the morals of a good man.

To the person talking about Deen rehiring the retired deputies. Well you needed to see what he is doing now. Since he didn't get his way with DEMPSY he is hiring like a mad man retired Deputies and recently retired Bossier City Policemen. We the taxpayers are going to have to pay for this madness with INCREASE TAXES the department can only stand so much before taxes will have to be raised. Deen is once again showing is true colors when he doesn't get his way. He is trying to screw the you sheriff by making them have fire some of these people. I can tell you I will be voting for the man that has the BALLS to stop this madness and send those political buddies and church buddies packing. Give our long time deputies the raises they deserve. They are the ones that are out here protecting us. I can tell you if Larry Deen decides to run for any other office I can tell you he will NEVER get another vote from me. Remember Larry the LORD givith and the LORD takith away and you reap what you so or do you not teach that in you church.

I heard that he hired back the deputy that he ran off for tipping off the inquisitor about the high salaries of some of the top brass in the department, ironically, at a high salary. Can anyone confirm this and why he did it? To keep him quiet during the election?

Julian resigned, not retired. He's not of age to draw on his retirement for another few years. Therefore, there should be no concern on him receiving two checks. There are few better men, that I've known in this life, than Julian Whittington. He won't be subject to the "same good ol boys" politics, as some have shown concern about. If I recall, he also did a training with the FBI where local law enforcement agencies across the country come together to compete in training activities. His "tactical police work" experience should also not be in question. If politics or ideals are your concern, that's your right to ask questions and raise your concern. However, his experience and qualifications for the job definitely are not what should be in question.

Julian will win, by a landslide. Mike McConnell should withdraw. The money his campaign will use could go to much better things. Mike is arrogant which shows in his posts. He says he has all these awards and certifications but obviously he never won a spelling bee. LOL! Maybe he should look into having someone show him how to use spellcheck! I have a problem with someone wanting to run the parish I live in and they can not spell simple words. But in addition to that not even have someone proof it or spell check it first. Julian is a good man. He has solid training and knows the department. Just walk through the courthouse and ask people what they think about Julian and you will see admiration without hesitation.

Shame, shame, shame you broke Jim's #1 rule. I dont think McConnell is going to back out of this race. He's the only one who has ever gone up against Larry Deen and look what happened. That says loads.

Your right in that Julian will probably win big. Your wrong in that he will make a great sherriff. There is an old saying "lead, follow, or get out of the way." Julian followed Larry Deen for over 20 years. You've been a follower for 20 years. You kept your mouth shut and turned a blind eye to all the unethical things that Dictator Larry did and now all of sudden you want to be the leader. You will never convince me that Julian and Larry had a "falling out" and that Julian did not know Larry Deen was not planning on running. He knew all along. Julian is a nice guy but he may be too nice. He wont rule BPSO with scare tactics like Deen but he'll will run it similar. The most unqualified at the top.I will challenge his police experience. I dont care what schools you go to but unless you hit the streets and actually put that knowledge to use its useless.He has no real street experience. He was brought up through the ranks quickly just like Doyle Dempsey. My vote at this time is for McConnell even though he will lose to old Bossier politics

I agree with 2AM. Julian has Larry's old supporters which can only say one thing.... he, like Larry, will not be in control of this parish. I agree that Julian is a nice guy, but, he is no leader. It must be very hard for McConnell to get out of bed every day wondering what the hell he has gotten himself into, but, I must also say this for him, he hasn't quit. Most others would have done so by now. Maybe that is just what this parish needs is an underdog to take the reins. The boy has moxy, that's for sure.

I find it quite entertaining that so many of the people doing the criticizing of Julian obviously have never met the man. This is apparent by the comments being made. Either way, it should be a fun next several months leading up to the election.

I did not see the sheriff, Myrick or Doyle at the announcement yesteray. If they were there it was only to take names. The other deputies were told in directly not to go. Funny they were expected to go to Dempsey's. Can't wait til Deen is goooone. I will tell you this Whittington has my vote, but he only has four years to clean up the mess or he will not get it the next time around. I think he deserves a chance.

2:39You can not let a person retire and then turn right around and rehire the same person to do the same job. I noticed the little spin you put on it. Saying they are rehired in a part time capacity. If that's the spin they put on it to make it legal then at the very least it's unethical. As a tax paying citizen surely you can't be o.k. With this behavior. If you are o.k . with this then you are probably one of Deen's cronies who benefits from it.

Not sure if the sheriff's department falls under the same sanction, but teachers in Louisiana have been required to sit out at least one year after retiring before returning to work. That law has been in place for several years and there has been talk, maybe already in place, of extending it or requiring the forfeiting of the retirement check until they retire again. Seems like there would be something similar regarding other forms of public servants. Specifically if they are under a state retirement system, which I'm not sure if they are.

Let me see if I can clear the air on this one. If a person is fully vested in the Louisiana Sheriffs' Pension system and has reached the years and age to retire, they can retire at a rate of 3.33% of their salary multiplied by the years of creditable service. If that retiree so desires, they may go to the private sector and make as much money as they can. If they choose, and the Sheriff of their respective parish chooses to allow them, they can go back to work,for that Parish. They are only allowed to make up to 50% of thier retirement income from a Sheriffs' Office that participates in the Louisiana Sheriffs' Pension System. They can work full time if they choose, but may only be compensated at 50%.Why all of the crying? Nobody thinks twice about a person retiring from the Military and going back to work for the Post Office, at full pay from both. People retire all the time and take another job, at full pay.So to sum it up, a Deputy can retire from his or her respective Sheriffs' Office and go back to work at a rate of pay not to exceed 50% of what the retirement benifit is. Nothing illegal or underhanded about it. It is a money saving measure because the Sheriff gets trained, certified officers at better than half price, because the Sheriff does not pay benifits on the retiree.

This is to the poster who babbled on about McConnell not being able to spell.

Since when does it matter if a person can spell? The way I see it, if McConnell can't spell, but surrounds himself with very competent, bright, brilliant people that can help him guide the BSO in the correct direction, he's got my vote, whether he can "spel" or not.

If that's the only rock you can throw at McConnell, you're as bright as the guy who brings a knife to a gun fight.

"Julian is a nice guy but he maybe too nice. He wont rule BPSO with scare tactics like Deen but he'll will run it similar. The most unqualified at the top".

Just another person that knows how, when, and what Julian will do if he wins. Now how does one get so smart they know Julian will run it similar to Deen and have the most unqualified at the top? I could have picked from a number of posts to illustrate these thoughts from some of the posters. There are similar posts about McConnell. Amazing how people know what these men will do a year from now.

3:53McConnell has made statements about the changes he intends to make to the department. As far as Whittington is concerned, he has yet to make any statements on how he intends to make any changes to the department. He knows only one way to run a department and that's the Larry Deen way. I will stick by my opinion and really hope that Whittington proves me wrong. It's his race to lose but changes need to be made. McConnell ideas would be great changes for that department but I don't know if he is going to get through to the public.

I still have not heard Whittington talk or discuss anything about what he intends to do or change at the Bossier Sheriff's Office. Will he add more patrol deptuies to the streets of the growing parish? What does he think about women on patrol? Also, just because his name is "Whittington" does not mean he will make a good Sheriff.

As it looks now Whittington will be the next sheriff of Bossier Parish. But, nothing will change if the practice of placing unqualified people in top positions like Tom Myrick and Tony Staten and others continue. The right way of promoting personnel is by placing people with experience, education and time in service in those positions. The "good old boy" policy by putting people at the top because daddy has money or just good friends must stop.

Rules of the road:1. No personal attacks or insults.2. No accustory statements about wrongdoing or criminal acts against anyone.3. Say all you want about the pros and cons concerning the candidates and the issues, or the general subject of the blog post, just follow Rule #1 and Rule #2.

Wow Jim, thanks for the post and your site, very informative. Your interest and commitment to LA politics is amazing and inspiring; can you clone yourself 49 times and spread it around?

...good lord - you are as bad as the times...

smells like donkey in here

I enjoy reading your posts.

why don't you add this to your comments - your blog sucks

I do not know how I stumbled upon your pitiful blog, but apparently you do not know anything about

Great Blog!

Thanks, Jim, for providing a good forum for discussing the candidates.

Love your blog. It makes my day!!!

It's people like you, Jim, that ruin our system.

The only shortcomings of this blog is that more people may not be reading it.

I just looked at the posts. comical. Ada's drunk, corrupt cops caught on tape, some crazy lady making "art" about it (I looked at her "art" and I now know why they have starving artists shows), a Benton hillbilly running a blog about it.Come on Hollywood, this is a great B movie.

I hope you realize that very few people actually read your little blog - but keep on writing if it makes you feel important.